Ascletis Pharma Inc.

Ascletis Pharma Presents Promising Data for Novel Obesity Treatments at ADA 2026

Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672) is set to present compelling preclinical and clinical data at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 2026 Scientific Sessions, taking place June 5–8 in Recent Orleans, Louisiana. The presentations spotlight the company’s innovative pipeline of oral little molecule therapeutics targeting obesity and metabolic diseases.

ASC39: A Potential Game-Changer in Amylin Receptor Agonism

A late-breaking poster presentation will detail the preclinical data for ASC39, an oral small molecule amylin receptor agonist. According to the company, ASC39 demonstrates selectivity and potency comparable to eloralintide, a currently available amylin peptide analog. In head-to-head cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) activation assays, the EC50 for human amylin 1 receptor (hAMY1R) was 21.4 pM for ASC39 and 21.2 pM for eloralintide. Similarly, the EC50 for human calcitonin receptor (hCTR) was 846.1 pM and 1,350.8 pM, respectively, indicating similar selectivity for hAMY1R over hCTR.

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This is significant because amylin receptor agonists function by slowing gastric emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing food intake. The development of an oral small molecule agonist like ASC39 could offer a more convenient and potentially more accessible treatment option compared to injectable peptide analogs.

ASC30 Shows Promising Weight Loss and GI Tolerability

Data from a U.S. Phase II study of ASC30, an oral GLP-1R agonist, will also be presented. The study demonstrated a placebo-adjusted weight loss of 7.7% in participants with obesity. Importantly, ASC30 exhibited better gastrointestinal tolerability than orforglipron, with half the rate of vomiting observed during weekly titration.

GLP-1R agonists are a well-established class of drugs for weight management, but many currently available options require injection. An oral formulation with improved tolerability could broaden access and adherence to these therapies.

ASC37 Demonstrates Oral Bioavailability

Ascletis will also present data on ASC37, an oral tablet containing a GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple agonist peptide. Nonhuman primate studies showed an average absolute oral bioavailability of 4.2%.

Even as 4.2% bioavailability may seem low, it represents a significant step forward for peptide-based therapeutics, which traditionally have very poor oral absorption. Ascletis’ Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology (POTENT) appears to be playing a role in improving this delivery method.

The Rise of Oral Obesity Therapeutics

The data presented by Ascletis Pharma aligns with a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry: the pursuit of effective and convenient oral therapies for obesity. Historically, obesity treatment has been limited by the need for injections or invasive procedures. The development of oral small molecule and peptide-based options is poised to revolutionize the field.

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The company is also developing ASC30_39 FDC, a fixed-dose combination of ASC30 and ASC39, expected to enter clinical development with an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the third quarter of 2026. This combination approach aims to leverage the complementary mechanisms of action of GLP-1R and amylin receptor agonists for enhanced weight loss and metabolic benefits.

Pro Tip:

Keep an eye on fixed-dose combination therapies. Combining different mechanisms of action in a single pill can often lead to synergistic effects and improved patient outcomes.

Ascletis’ Technology Platforms

Ascletis Pharma’s success is built on its proprietary technology platforms, including Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP). These technologies enable the company to efficiently identify and develop novel drug candidates with optimized properties.

FAQ

Q: What is an amylin receptor agonist?
A: An amylin receptor agonist is a type of medication that mimics the effects of amylin, a hormone naturally produced by the pancreas. It helps regulate appetite and food intake.

Q: What is a GLP-1R agonist?
A: A GLP-1R agonist is a medication that activates the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, leading to increased insulin secretion, decreased glucagon secretion, and slowed gastric emptying.

Q: When is Ascletis expected to submit an IND application for ASC30_39 FDC?
A: Ascletis expects to submit an IND application to the FDA in the third quarter of 2026.

Did you know? Ascletis Pharma is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK).

To learn more about Ascletis Pharma and its pipeline, visit www.ascletis.com.

What are your thoughts on the potential of oral obesity treatments? Share your comments below!

The Evolution of Metabolic Care: Beyond the Needle

The landscape of treating metabolic diseases is shifting. For years, the gold standard for weight management and type 2 diabetes (T2D) involved injectable peptides. But, we are entering an era where convenience and patient tolerability are becoming the primary drivers of innovation.

The focus is moving toward oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists. These therapies aim to provide the same metabolic benefits as injections but in a simple, once-daily tablet. This transition is not just about convenience; it’s about increasing adherence and expanding access to life-changing treatments.

Did you understand? ASC30 is developed as a fully biased small molecule GLP-1R agonist, designed to be administered either as a once-daily oral tablet or via subcutaneous injection on a once-monthly to once-quarterly basis.

The Rise of Oral Small Molecule GLP-1 Agonists

Small molecule agonists represent a significant leap over peptide-based drugs. Because they are smaller and more stable, they can be absorbed more effectively through the digestive tract, eliminating the need for needles.

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Recent developments highlight the potential for these drugs to tackle both obesity and type 2 diabetes. For instance, ASC30 is currently being evaluated in a 13-week U.S. Phase II study involving 100 participants with T2D. This study focuses on critical markers such as the mean change in HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, alongside body weight and safety.

Why Small Molecules Matter for Patients

The shift to oral delivery removes the psychological and physical barriers associated with injections. When patients can manage their metabolic health with a daily pill, the likelihood of long-term treatment success increases significantly.

the development of these drugs is being accelerated by advanced technologies. The utilize of Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platforms (ULAP) allows researchers to fine-tune molecules for better efficacy and longer duration of action.

Combining Pathways for Maximum Efficacy

The future of metabolic medicine is not just about single-target drugs, but about synergistic combinations. By targeting multiple receptors simultaneously, clinicians can potentially achieve greater weight loss and better glucose control with fewer side effects.

A prime example of this trend is the development of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs). The ASC30_39 FDC combines a GLP-1R agonist (ASC30) with an amylin-selective amylin receptor agonist (ASC39). In preclinical dog studies, this combination demonstrated excellent oral bioavailability and a half-life of up to 12 hours.

By mimicking the natural synergy between GLP-1 and amylin, these “one-pill-once-daily” therapies aim to provide a more comprehensive approach to chronic weight management than monotherapy alone.

Pro Tip: When monitoring the progress of new metabolic drugs, look for “titration” schedules. For example, ASC30 is titrated weekly from 1 mg to target doses to help the body adjust and reduce gastrointestinal distress.

Redefining Patient Compliance with Ultra-Long-Acting Options

Even as daily pills are a win for convenience, the industry is similarly pushing the boundaries of “ultra-long-acting” dosing. The goal is to move from daily or weekly administration to monthly or even quarterly dosing.

This approach is particularly valuable for maintenance therapy. Once a patient reaches their target weight or achieves stable blood glucose levels, a quarterly subcutaneous injection could maintain those results, drastically reducing the burden of daily medication management.

Prioritizing Tolerability in Weight Management

One of the biggest hurdles for GLP-1 therapies has been gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting. The next generation of metabolic drugs is focusing heavily on the “tolerability profile.”

Data suggests that newer small molecules can significantly improve the patient experience. For example, ASC30 has demonstrated a favorable GI profile, showing half the rate of vomiting compared to orforglipron when both are administered with weekly titration.

Improving tolerability is essential for ensuring that patients stay on their medication long enough to see significant clinical benefits, such as substantial weight loss and improved HbA1c levels.

Future Trends to Watch

Triple Agonists: The development of drugs like ASC37, which target GLP-1R, GIPR, and GCGR simultaneously.
Muscle Preservation: New candidates like ASC47 are being explored to ensure that weight loss comes from fat rather than lean muscle mass.
AI-Driven Discovery: Increased reliance on AISBDD to create “best-in-class” molecules with fewer side effects.

For more technical details on current clinical trials, you can visit ClinicalTrials.gov or explore the pipeline at Ascletis Pharma.

Future Trends to Watch — Agonists Discovery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a small molecule GLP-1R agonist?

We see a chemically synthesized drug that activates the GLP-1 receptor to regulate insulin and appetite. Unlike peptide-based GLP-1s, small molecules can be designed for oral administration (pills) rather than injections.

How does a fixed-dose combination (FDC) work for obesity?

An FDC combines two different medications—such as a GLP-1R agonist and an amylin receptor agonist—into a single pill. This targets multiple biological pathways to potentially increase weight loss efficacy.

What is HbA1c and why is it measured in diabetes studies?

HbA1c provides an average of blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. It is the primary endpoint in many diabetes studies to determine if a drug is effectively controlling glucose levels.

What are the benefits of “biased” agonists?

Biased agonists are designed to activate specific signaling pathways within a receptor while avoiding others, which can potentially lead to better efficacy and fewer side effects.

What are your thoughts on the shift from injections to daily pills for weight loss? Do you think quarterly dosing will be the future of metabolic health? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest biotech breakthroughs!

Ascletis to Present Data on Multiple Programs at the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Scientific Sessions